Iowa group tries to end 'telemedicine' abortions

Board of Medicine to review Iowa Right to Life's petitions

9:07 AM,
Jun. 26, 2013

Dr. Tom Ross, who works for Planned Parenthood, demonstrates the agency's telemedicine system from an office near downtown Des Moines. On his computer screen, he can see Planned Parenthood manager Kat Frink, who is sitting in front of a computer terminal at another Planned Parenthood clinic.

Written by

Wiliam Petroski
Des Moines Register

An Iowa organization opposed to abortions said Tuesday it is asking state medical officials to block a remote-control method of distributing abortion-inducing pills.

Iowa Right to Life, based in Des Moines, said in a statement that it has filed petitions that have more than 20,000 signatures with the Iowa Board of Medicine. The petitions ask the board to make adjustments in its guidance and rules to end so-called "webcam abortions," officials said.

The petitions target a long-distance video system used by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. The system allows a physician in Des Moines to ...